Info Report on The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) Bill

Social media use among children and teens has surged, contributing to declining mental health, unrealistic body expectations, academic struggles, and growing exposure to harmful content. The Kids Online Safety Act aims to address these harms by requiring platforms to limit addictive features, restrict harmful algorithmic recommendations, curb promotion of self-harm and exploitation, and provide reporting mechanisms and audits to protect minors. Despite bipartisan momentum, the bill faces major objections centered on First Amendment risks, vague definitions like “duty of care,” and the potential over-censorship of resources important to marginalized youth. The article argues that while protecting children online is essential, the bill must be more precise and balanced to prevent government overreach and safeguard access to critical information.